Contents

Attributes

Tulkas was so strong and quick that he needed no weapon or steed. He delighted in deeds of prowess and strength such as wrestling and fighting. But he was not dreadful; he laughed loudly in sport and war and his anger dispelled darkness and clouds.[2][3]

He was a hardy friend and slow to wrath, but also slow to forgive.
He was however mindless and did not learn from the past; always quick in action, he was not good in counselling.[2][4]

History

Tulkas was the last of the Ainur to descend into Arda, 1499 Valian Years after the arrival of the other Ainur. He heard of their First War with Melkor and came to them from the far heavens. But for his arrival, the Dark Lord might have defeated the Valar. [5] Hearing the sound of Tulkas' laughter and beholding his wrath, Melkor fled before him, and the Spring of Arda was begun.[3]

After the Two Lamps were erected and the Valar had made their first dwelling at Almaren, Tulkas wedded Nessa in a great feast. Being weary and content he slept, and Melkor decided his hour to retaliate had come.

When at last the first Children of Ilúvatar awoke, the Valar took council regarding the matter of Melkor. At length it was decided that, for the sake of the Elves, the Valar should regain guardianship of the world and remove Melkor. Tulkas was glad of this decision. In the War for the Sake of the Elves, after a long siege at Utumno, it was Tulkas who wrestled with Melkor and cast him upon his face. Tulkas bound Melkor with the enchanted chain Angainor, forged by Aulë. For a while the world was free from Melkor's influence.

When Melkor repented of his actions and was pardoned by Manwë, Tulkas was disappointed with this decision, ever distrustful of Melkor. But having fought Melkor in the name of authority, he could not rebel himself, and accepted Manwë's decision.

It is said that in the Dagor Dagorath, Tulkas will once more oppose Melkor, and will directly fight him in the battle and play a large role in his defeat. The victor is unknown, as it will be supposedly by the hand of Túrin that Melkor is slain once and for all.[6]

Etymology

The name Tulkas (pron. [ˈtulkas]) means in Quenya "strong, steadfast".[7]Tulukhastāz ("the golden-haried")[note 1] was the original Valarin name for Tulkas.[8]

In an early manuscript, Tolkien suggested a surname of Tulkas: Ender.[12]

Other Versions of the Legendarium

In some versions it is said that Tulkas was of the spirits who didn't come into Eä. In other versions, it is said that Tulkas was one of the spirits who entered the vast regions of Eä, until he came to Arda to help Manwë.[13]

Notes

↑Tulukhastāz is said to consist of the Valarin elements tulukha(n) ("yellow") and (a)šata- ("hair of head").